Poached Pears

These delicious poached pears in a spiced red wine are the definition of pure joy. They are excellent served hot or cold. The chilled version is perfect and refreshing in the summer desert. They are super easy to make, and look absolutely beautiful and elegant on a plate. The scent of winter spices quickly fills the kitchen while cooking. When they are cooked, you get a bonus fruit and spice-flavored sweet wine. By having more than a few of those you will start to feel a little silly, so they are not suitable for young children.

Pears are an excellent source of fiber. They are rich in copper and contain vitamins, B2, C and E. What is better for health nuts then making desert from this naturally sweet whole food? Many studies show that antioxidants in red wine, called flavonoids, may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (good) cholesterol. So combining pears with red wine is an excellent idea. Whiskey isn’t the healthiest beverage in the world, but one shot for the whole dish won’t harm you. It gives the dish an extra flavor and a little more silliness for you when you are done eating and drinking.

The best thing about this is that it’s super easy to make. You will need pears, wine, Stevia, honey, a vanilla bean and a cinnamon stick.

All you need to do is to pour a combination of water, wine and whiskey into a cooking pot. Add the spices, Stevia, and honey. You can skip Stevia if you wish and add just little bit more honey.

Then put the peeled pears with stems intact into the mixture. Cook for about 30 minutes.

Combine wine, honey, Stevia, cinnamon, vanilla and whiskey in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil.

Turn the heat down to a simmer, add pears and cover the sauce pan with a lid. Cook until pears are tender. Pears are ready when they are easily pierced with a fork. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes.

When pears are done you can serve them immediately or leave them to cool down, just cover and refrigerate them overnight.

Put pears on a plate and spoon some poaching liquid over them. Pour leftover wine into glasses.

Here you have a second option, which is syrup preparation. For this option, remove cooked pears from saucepan, increase heat and boil remaining wine for about 20 to 30 min until reduced by half.